Published: Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 10:34 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 28, 2013 at 2:38 p.m.

For all of his achievements, New Smyrna Beach's James Clark said failure is one of the first things he thinks about every morning.

Clark, the 2013 News-Journal's Boys Athlete of the Year, said he has never won a championship, and he is determined to change that.

“It is just something I will always think about, and until I change it, it will always be there,” Clark said. “I will do all I can to get it.”

Championship or not, Clark (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) was brilliant in his final year at New Smyrna Beach High School. He signed to play football for Ohio State in February, and reported to the school — predicted by many to be one of the nation's top programs this year — last week. That came on the heels of a season that saw Clark haul in 49 passes for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns while helping lead NSB to its first undefeated regular season since 1999.

Known for his blazing speed, Clark turned in the area's second fastest 100-meters time (10.48) and 200 time (21.43) at the Five Star Conference Championship. That earned him News-Journal first team all-area track and field honors for the second consecutive year.

Clark's teammate in track and football, D'Cota Dixon — himself a heralded athlete who claims more than 30 scholarship offers for football — said you could see Clark's success coming.

“He is such a competitor,” Dixon said. “And what made him great was just him being humble and smart. He worked hard, and he never complained. He could compete with anyone. He was determined to beat you.”

That even translated to the classroom where Dixon said he and Clark engaged in a competition that, despite playing out away from the public eye, might be as impressive as anything the duo accomplished on the field.

“We both thrive on greatness and being successful,” Dixon said. “That means, even in class, being successful. So, we used to compete with our grades. He finished with a 3.9 GPA and I had a 3.8.”

That type of character was not lost on Barracudas football coach Lance Jenkins.

“There are a lot of guys that are walking the earth that can run and have exceptional talent,” Jenkins said. “What makes James Clark such a special player is he is a great person. He holds himself accountable, does not make excuses and is a high character guy. He is reliable. When James says he is going to do something, he is reliable and he is there.”

Jenkins said Clark began to turn the corner, at least athletically, during his junior year. Until then, Jenkins said Clark operated as a track athlete that played football.

“But he started to develop his junior year, and between his junior and senior year the body of work he turned in was impressive,” he said. “I wish I had 30 James Clarks on my team, and I'm not talking speed wise. I'm talking about character and attitude. The guy worked hard every single day.”

Clark said his senior season has made him a bit more recognizable in New Smyrna Beach. People stop him from time-to-time when he is home and want to talk about Ohio State and football. He realizes he made an impact, and he said he has many great memories of his final year as a Barracuda. But when it comes to his legacy at the school, Clark said he will leave that up to others to decide.

But Dixon made it clear that Clark's impact is still felt in the program, and that in many ways, his legacy is still developing.

“He taught me how to play the game,” Dixon said. “Basically, he taught me to work, work, work, and to be a quiet beast, and at the right time, you just unleash that.”

Which sounded something like the plan Clark said he was carrying to Ohio State as he continues to pursue the championship that has eluded him.

“I can't be more motivated than I am right now,” he said just before leaving for the school. “This is definitely the most work that I've put in in my life. I'm going up there with an attitude.

“I'm back at the bottom again. I realize that nothing will be handed to me, but I'm going up there to put in some work.”

<p>For all of his achievements, New Smyrna Beach's James Clark said failure is one of the first things he thinks about every morning. </p><p>Clark, the 2013 News-Journal's Boys Athlete of the Year, said he has never won a championship, and he is determined to change that. </p><p>“It is just something I will always think about, and until I change it, it will always be there,” Clark said. “I will do all I can to get it.”</p><p>Championship or not, Clark (5-foot-11, 170 pounds) was brilliant in his final year at New Smyrna Beach High School. He signed to play football for Ohio State in February, and reported to the school — predicted by many to be one of the nation's top programs this year — last week. That came on the heels of a season that saw Clark haul in 49 passes for 1,112 yards and eight touchdowns while helping lead NSB to its first undefeated regular season since 1999. </p><p>Known for his blazing speed, Clark turned in the area's second fastest 100-meters time (10.48) and 200 time (21.43) at the Five Star Conference Championship. That earned him News-Journal first team all-area track and field honors for the second consecutive year.</p><p>Clark's teammate in track and football, D'Cota Dixon — himself a heralded athlete who claims more than 30 scholarship offers for football — said you could see Clark's success coming. </p><p>“He is such a competitor,” Dixon said. “And what made him great was just him being humble and smart. He worked hard, and he never complained. He could compete with anyone. He was determined to beat you.”</p><p>That even translated to the classroom where Dixon said he and Clark engaged in a competition that, despite playing out away from the public eye, might be as impressive as anything the duo accomplished on the field.</p><p>“We both thrive on greatness and being successful,” Dixon said. “That means, even in class, being successful. So, we used to compete with our grades. He finished with a 3.9 GPA and I had a 3.8.”</p><p>That type of character was not lost on Barracudas football coach Lance Jenkins. </p><p>“There are a lot of guys that are walking the earth that can run and have exceptional talent,” Jenkins said. “What makes James Clark such a special player is he is a great person. He holds himself accountable, does not make excuses and is a high character guy. He is reliable. When James says he is going to do something, he is reliable and he is there.”</p><p>Jenkins said Clark began to turn the corner, at least athletically, during his junior year. Until then, Jenkins said Clark operated as a track athlete that played football. </p><p>“But he started to develop his junior year, and between his junior and senior year the body of work he turned in was impressive,” he said. “I wish I had 30 James Clarks on my team, and I'm not talking speed wise. I'm talking about character and attitude. The guy worked hard every single day.”</p><p>Clark said his senior season has made him a bit more recognizable in New Smyrna Beach. People stop him from time-to-time when he is home and want to talk about Ohio State and football. He realizes he made an impact, and he said he has many great memories of his final year as a Barracuda. But when it comes to his legacy at the school, Clark said he will leave that up to others to decide. </p><p>But Dixon made it clear that Clark's impact is still felt in the program, and that in many ways, his legacy is still developing.</p><p>“He taught me how to play the game,” Dixon said. “Basically, he taught me to work, work, work, and to be a quiet beast, and at the right time, you just unleash that.”</p><p>Which sounded something like the plan Clark said he was carrying to Ohio State as he continues to pursue the championship that has eluded him.</p><p>“I can't be more motivated than I am right now,” he said just before leaving for the school. “This is definitely the most work that I've put in in my life. I'm going up there with an attitude.</p><p>“I'm back at the bottom again. I realize that nothing will be handed to me, but I'm going up there to put in some work.”</p>